Monica is back home. Rachel has moved all her things to share apartment with Phoebe. Chandler took the whole week off since Monica's hospitalization and is spending the remaining days of his paid leave moving his stuff to Apartment 20.
Chandler busies himself cleaning the kitchen and living room and lets Monica sleep in the bedroom where the door is left open. Every once in a while Chandler would glance at her. Now lying on her back, the baby bump looks bigger. Monica kept stirring in bed looking for the perfect position that tells Chandler how uncomfortable the physical changes that have been happening to her. And while this experience is new to both of them, he is determined to let Monica know, he is there with her at every step.
Chandler finished putting everything in place. Maybe not up to Monica's standards.
Why does everything look different?
Oh, honey, you're up!
The end table is wrong, the couch looks bizaare and don't even get me started on the refrigerator magnets!
Don't be mad, okay? I just wanted to do something nice for you so I cleaned and I forgot where it went back. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Are you afraid of me or something?
Do you want me to be afraid of you?
No! no! What you did is a wonderful thing and I really appreciate it!
You're the best! You come here to me.
Chandler leads Monica to sit on the couch. He placed a pillow on the table for her feet to rest. Tell me what you want and I'll get it for you. You wanna have dinner now?
We had snacks earlier, remember?
Want me to turn the tv on?
No, I gotta call the restaurant. I just want to know what's going on there?
Oh, no, no, no! The doctor says you have to take it easy honey. So no calling to work for two weeks.
Alright. Oh, are those my mail? Chandler handed Monica the mail.
Oh no!
What is it honey?
I have to pay the bills. They were due a few days ago and I totally forgot.
These bills? Chandler showing Monica the bills with receipts attached to each one.
You paid them?
Rachel paid her half of the bills.
What about my half?
Well, I took care of it.
Oh, wait. Monica tries to get up from the couch.
Where are you going? Chandler asks.
I'm getting my purse.
Why?
For the bills!
Can you just forget it.? We're living together now. That's no big deal.
But that's not fair! I mean you just moved in.
Why don't we just forget the bills and make out.
Good idea.
You're really spoiling me, huh?
I just love you so much, what's so wrong with that?
You know I can get used to this.
Chandler sat down beside Monica and wraps his arms around her, one hand on her tummy. Monica places her hand over Chandler's and leans her head on his shoulder. It was bliss.
Hey, I know we still have a few months to go before Hemingway Bing comes…
Hemingway?
I mean, if it's a boy, I'd like to throw in that name in the mix, yeah.
Why?
He's my favorite author!
Name one of his books.
Oh, forget it. So as I was saying… I'm thinking about when the baby comes. I mean, I know you will be on maternity leave and I can help out every once in a while, but what happens after that?
You mean, who's going to look after the baby?
Well, yes.
I've been thinking about that, too. I'm really not sure yet if I'm gonna be okay with leaving the baby but I know I have to go back to work, too. What do you think?
Look, honey. If you wanna stay home and take care of the baby, that's fine with me. If you decide you wanna go back to work, that's fine with me, too. I'm sure we can figure it out. I mean, that's what we do!
Monica nods her head in agreement. They have really been so good together. After the first few months of their relationship when Chandler would freak out at even the slightest of teasing from their friends, there has been none of those since then. They would fight about what to do with the spare room or whether to take the barcalounger in but even in the middle of those fights, neither of them have thought about calling off moving in or throw insults at one another just to get even.
She realizes that she willingly gives in and make compromises, not out of duty or obligation or fear. She realizes how much she loves him. And while she has always been sure about her own feelings for him, she is sure just how much he loves her, too.
Monica lifts her head from his shoulder and took a good look at Chandler. Hmmm, I love you so much! she says to him, meaning every word.
Really? Chandler feeling overwhelmed, smiling.
Monica holds his head with both her hands and nibbles his lips for a few brief moments. When their lips parted, Mmmm, I miss kissing you like this, Mon. It was Chandler's turn. He holds her head with both his hands and kisses her deep and long. The kisses turned hot and passionate. His lips traveling down to her chin, her neck, her shoulder. Chandler pulls down the strap of her blouse when he felt his pants tighten.
Oh my God! Chandler uttered softly to her ear.
Why'd you stop?
We can't.
But I want you to.
I know but we can't. You know.
Are you going to be okay?
Of course. Chandler puts back the strap of her blouse back and kisses her shoulder. He sits back and pulls Monica back to his arms. He closes his eyes and kisses the side of her head. Monica closes her eyes, too, savoring the moment.